Infield leg guard

ABSTRACT

Infield Leg Guards (ILGs) are defensive leg guards for softball and baseball infielders. ILGs are below-the-knee protection (worn in pairs) for the front-side of the legs, primarily the tibia bone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While the sports world has widely recognized the need for shinprotection, perhaps the greatest need(s) exists for baseball andsoftball infielders. When batted, a baseball can leave the bat at a rateof 120 miles per hour (mph) or more. Similarly, softballs can leave thebat in excess of 130 mph. As a result, infield defensive players cansustain serious injury when impacted.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of ILGs are to reduce shin injuries sustained by the impactof a softball and/or baseball. ILGs are designed to attach/removequickly and be worn only when a player is on defense. ILGs arelightweight and fasten firmly to the lower leg through adjustable strapsand/or magnets, or simply held in place with socks. ILGs extend from(just above) the foot to (just below) the knee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention as it would be positioned forits intended protective use.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention as it is being positioned on thelower leg.

FIG. 3 is the same side view (FIG. 2) of the invention after it has beenpositioned on the lower leg.

FIG. 4 is a partial illustration of both the outside and inside of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A defensive shin protector (1) for infield softball and baseballplayers, which is to be worn on the front of the lower leg (8),protecting the tibia bone.

The outer shield element (6) is manufactured to absorb the initialimpact of the ball, while the inner padding (7) provides comfort to theuser while also distributing the force of the impact, thus reducing theprobability of injury therefrom.

Outer shield element (6) and inner padding (7) both contain spaces, orbreaks, smaller than the size(s) for each respective ball, which allowsthe impact to be distributed more evenly and uses less overall material,thereby making the invention lighter than the same device without spacesor breaks.

Shin protector (1) may be held in position with knee-length socksbetween the knee (2) and ankle (4). Protection does not extend to thebackside of the lower leg, or calf muscle (3).

1. Shin protectors for defensive softball and baseball players,specifically manufactured to absorb the impact of any size softballand/or baseball when batted.